ASEAN Secretary General visits victims of Lao dam collapse

A delegation led by Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi (L), on July 29 visited people who were affected by the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam in Sanamxay district of Laos’ Attapeu province (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – A delegation led by Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on July 29 visited people who were affected by the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam in Sanamxay district of Laos’ Attapeu province.

The ASEAN Secretary General extended his sympathies to people who had to leave their home and suffered losses due to the incident. He also handed over some relief items to the head of Sanamxay district.

During the visit, Lim expressed his appreciation for the support of other ASEAN members and dialogue partners for Laos. He stressed the important role of all stakeholders, particularly the private sector in helping assist those in need.

The SK Engineering and Construction (SK E&C) of the Republic of Korea will build three houses as temporary shelters in Sanamxay and a food storehouse, according to the Lao News Agency (KPL).

Rescue operations are underway in the district to search for missing people.

SK E&C is a partner in the Sepien-Senamnoi Power Company (PNPC) which is constructing the Sepien-Senamnoi hydroelectric power plant. The other partners are Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding (RATCH) and Lao Holding State Enterprise (LHSE).

Construction of the project, which is estimated to cost 1.02 billion USD, began in February 2013 and commercial operations were expected to begin this year.